Brenau Gears Up for Homecoming Events Oct. 3-5

Oct. 1, 2014

Brenau Staff

Brenau University Golden Tigers intercollegiate athletics will host the third annual homecoming celebration Oct. 3-5 in a weekend filled with activities for allowing former teammates to reconnect, for new prospective students to get acquainted with the school and for members of the community to associate with a nationally competitive sports program that is introducing Brenau and its hometown to audiences throughout the country.

The fall homecoming week started as a means for former athletes to get together, but now has expanded to become the fall alumni event that will rival the spring reunion weekend that occurs in mid-April.

Brenau University President Ed Schrader, who with his dog Jake, will be grand marshal of the first homecoming parade, said that close to a fourth of the student body at Brenau Women’s College is participating in some form of intercollegiate athletics competition. “It is getting to the point that you cannot tell who was an athlete and who wasn’t among alumni.”

Brenau currently fields 10 teams under the auspices of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics in soccer, volleyball, swimming, tennis, basketball, track & field, cross country, golf, softball and competitive cheer. More than 170 women’s college students participate.

The homecoming weekend starts on Friday, Oct. 3, with a pick-up softball game between the current varsity squad, which finished 23rd in the nation in the final coaches poll for the 2014 season, against alumnae.

Gainesville’s First Friday concert on the square features the Fly Betty Band and there is also a WonderQuest production of “Sleeping Beauty” at Pearce Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at gainesvilletheatrealliance.org or (678) 717-3624.

The first Brenau homecoming 5K run, a new event to the Homecoming lineup, kicks off Saturday at 8 a.m. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Brenau Athletics Booster Club. The run is open to the community. Register at active.com to participate or show up at the front lawn at 7 a.m. for early registration.

Following the race, the Homecoming parade begins at the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts at 10 a.m., led by the Brenau Drumline and Golden Tiger Cheerleaders taking off with a parade of decorated cars and floats to the amphitheater by way of Front Campus. President Schrader will cruise with a special guest. The alumni association will give a cash prize to the most spirited student organization.

(Boulevard, Prior, Park, Spring and Candler streets will be closed off from 7 a.m. for the 5K until about 10:30 a.m. when the parade marches on. Brenau campus security and Gainesville Police officers will assist residents on that route by keeping the runners on one side of the road. Parking will be available at the Northeast Georgia History Center and the Jacobs Building lots.)

Brenau alumni battle it out against classes and faculty and staff in a series of field day games after the parade on the front lawn. A homecoming lunch at Hopkins Dining Hall for students, alumni and family members will be served.

Alumni and family members are invited to enjoy complimentary seasonal beers (or root beer for those under 21) and snacks at the new Alumni Beer Garden and Kids’ Activity Area at the Wheeler House Courtyard. The Golden Tigers mascot “H.J.” and Brenau cheerleaders will be present to lead activities for kids of all ages. All guests receive souvenir Brenau cups while supplies last.

The Golden Tigers Soccer Team plays Middle Georgia State College at Allen Creek Soccer Complex, at 5 p.m. Brenau Catering will provide food and fans can then round out the day at Wallis Field with a concert and bonfire featuring country artist Thomas Fountain who will play a free show. Relax and enjoy s’mores around the bonfire while taking in the sights and sounds of Brenau. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.